Sports Equipment and Safety 2000 by Mark B. Levin, M.D. The Pediatric Group, P.A., Princeton

This is the twentyfifth article in a series written for Princeton Online. Click here for an archive of other articles.

Now that the weather is spring-like, many children are participating in outdoor sports. In addition to the standard recommendations for conditioning, stretrching, hydration and sun protection, new data are available regarding injuries sustained by children in sports. These data have spawned concern for the personal safety of the sports participants.

The following is a list of personal safety and sports equipment recommendations from various expert and national medical organizations. It excludes individual-specific equipment, such as knee braces. All equipment must be in good repair to be protective.

All sports participants should be current with routine immunizations, in particular, tetanus. Participants in sports where plaayer to player contact is possible (field hockey, ice hockey, soccer, football, baseball, basketball, squash, racquetball, lacrosse and wrestling) should be immunized for hepatitis B.

Baseball:

boys age 8-12 years: padded athletic supporter or hard cup
boys 12-15 years: athletic supporter with hard cup
all children under 15 years: polycarbonate goggles, helmet with eye-shield on basepaths and at bat
children over 15: helmet at bat and on basepaths
all children : catchers must wear full equipment, even during practice

Softball:

all children : catchers must wear full equipment, even during practice.
all children under 15 years: helmet with eye-shield on basepaths and at bat
children over 15: helmet at bat and on basepaths

Soccer:

boys age 8-12 years: padded athletic supporter or hard cup
boys 12-15 years: athletic supporter with hard cup
all children: shin guards, mouth guard
for children with glasses: polycarbonate goggles (prescription or over-the-glasses)
consider soft helmet for goalie (goal post collisions have been lethal)
(discourage heading the ball before 14 years old; reports of brain dysfunction if done too young or incorrectly)

Basketball:

all children : polycarbonate goggles, mouth guard
boys age 8-12 years: padded athletic supporter or hard cup
boys 12-15 years: athletic supporter with hard cup

Girls’ Lacrosse:

all children: mouthguard, polycarbonate goggles, gloves with finger pads goalies must wear full equipment, even during practice.

Boys’ Lacrosse:

all children: helmet with cage, shoulder pads, mouthguard, gloves goalies must wear full equipment, even during practice
boys age 8-12 years: padded athletic supporter or hard cup
boys 12-15 years: athletic supporter with hard cup

Field Hockey:

all children: mouthguard, polycarbonate goggles gloves with finger pads
all children : goalies must wear full equipment, even during practice; consider shin guards

Wrestling:

all children: head protector, mouthguard
boys age 8-12 years: padded athletic supporter or hard cup
boys 12-15 years: athletic supporter with hard cup
shower immediately after a match or practice to minimize the chance of acquiring a contagious skin disease

Football:

all children: helmet with cage; mouthguard, rib pads, hip pads, thigh pads, knee pads, shoulder pads, neck roll &/or neck support.
boys age 8-12 years: padded athletic supporter or hard cup
boys 12-15 years: athletic supporter with hard cup

Fencing:

boys age 8-12 years: padded athletic supporter
boys 12-15 years: athletic supporter with hard cup

Alpine Skiing:

all children: helmet and ski goggles
bindings adjusted for size, event and skill level
appropriate slope difficulty for skill level
lessons

Snowboarding:

all children: helmet and ski goggles
training
appropriate terrain

Ice Hockey:

all children: helmet with cage; mouthguard, rib pads, hip pads, thigh pads, knee pads, shoulder pads, shin guards
boys age 8-12 years: padded athletic supporter or hard cup
boys 12-15 years: athletic supporter with hard cup

Bicycling:

all children: helmet, reflectors, warning device
know the “rules of the road”

Body building:

Use weight training rather than weight lifting until 16 years old for girls and 18 years old for boys.
Fixed weights on a frame are safer than free weights
Always have a trainer present and follow a balanced program appropriate for size and age.
Discourage use of “andr”, “creatine” and protein/amino acid supplements in growing children

Ballet:

Avoid pointe until 16 years old for girls and 18 years old for boys

Cross Country:

all children: reflectorized tunic or smock if running late in the afternoon; cushioned running shoes
limit running to 3 miles per day, 5 days per week in children not finished with growth

In-line skating:

all children: helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards, mouthguard
skate in an approved, safe place free of debris on the skating surface

Skateboarding:

all children: helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards, mouthguard
skate in an approved, safe place free of debris on the skating surface

Trampoline:

Pads on the metal frame; one person at a time; always have an adult at the side of the trampoline as a “spotter”.

The following sports promote intent to injure as their underlying theme. As such, children should not be permitted to participate in them:

Boxing
Contact marshall arts

Used consistently and properly, equipment can reduce the chance of serious accidental injury in sports. Good sportsmanship and following the rules of the game can also go a long way toward making sports particiaption a safe and enjoyable endeavor. We encourage parents to talk with their children regarding sportsmanship and, while on the sidelines, to be supportive of their children, the coaches and game officials.

© The Pediatric Group February, 2000 All Rights Reserved

References:
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Canadian Paediatric Society
National Athletic Trainers Association
National Association for Sports and Physical Education
Institute for the Study of Youth Sports

Goggles: Ped v98:2, 8/96, 311-313; PIR v16:5, 5/95, 184-187
Soccer: Ped v105:3, 3/00, 659-661; New York Times 8/14/95
Football: WMMR v39:34, 8/31/90, 586-587
Alpine skiing: Snow Country 12/96, 181-183; Cont Ped v11, 12/94, 51-58
Snow boarding: J Ped Surg v34:1, 1/99, 65-69
Ice hockey: Ped v105:3, 3/00, 657-658
Bicycling: American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement; NEJM 320:21, 5/25/89, 1361-1367; Princeton Township Newsletter 4/96
Body building: JAMA 6/2/99, 281:2020-2028; Medical Letter v40, 11/6/98, 165-166
Dancing/ballet: Cont Ped 6/99, 135-147
Cross country: A J Med 82:772-780, 4/87
Skating/skateboard: Mayo Clin Proc 70:752-754, 8/95; NEJM 335:22, 1630-1635, 11/28/96
Trampoline: Ped 89:5, 5/92, 849-854
Horseback: Ped 89:6, 6/92, 1173-1176

Dr. Mark B. Levin 

Dr. Levin has been a member of the staff at The Pediatric Group since 1977. Currently an attending Pediatrician at the Medical Center at Princeton, he has been Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Center at Princeton, 1984 to 1986, 1989 to 1992, and past President, Medical and Dental Staff, Medical Center at Princeton, 1987 to 1988. Dr. Levin has served on numerous Departmental and hospital committees. He has published original articles both while at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse and at The Pediatric Group. He has a wife and three children. Dr. Levin enjoys alpine skiing, jogging, hiking and camping, travel, computers and racquetball.